DIY Chicken Run

[@LLjean-qz7sb]

If you want to grow grass for the chickens in the new run, make a box any size, maybe 2ft x 4ft, or any size you want, and cover the top with chicken wire ( put a brace in the middle to support their weight, and plant grass seed, or whatever kind of seed you want, (that they will eat) inside the box. As it grows the chickens will stand on the wire and will peck at it, but not tear up the ground! You might plant a few of them along one side of the run and have them grow at different times to always have greenery available! ( plant thicker than normal) Just a suggestion! God Bless!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁 I will have to try that!

[@campingintheforest_]

Yea that's a great idea, thanks I'll be trying that!

[@jackieflynn7731]

Yes I have done it and it’s great

[@floridagirl386]

I am having a hard time visualizing this

[@LLjean-qz7sb]

@@floridagirl386 If you make a box (with no bottom)from 2x4's any size, (maybe 2ft on the short sides and 4ft on the long sides), cover it with chicken wire,( you might need to put a 2ft piece of 2x4 in the middle of the box to support the weight of the chickens, so you will have (3) - 2ft pieces and (2) - 4ft pieces). After you make the box, (with nk bottom)place it in the run and sprinkle grass seed on the ground under the chicken wire. When it grows, it will poke through the wire and the chickens will pick at the grass without scratching up the ground. Maybe this is a little clearer. God Bless!

[@aaronhope8366]

I never would have thought about those as lumber options. I love it. That there just saved me solid cash and I appreciate it.

[@nancy9704]

I'm binge watching this chicken coop build and extension. I think your family is precious. Your little daughter is helping and your wife is so loving with your children. I used to stand and sway rock side to side when I stood with my little ones. Must be a mom thing. Thanks for the video and for taking care of your fam and chickens. Dad is No. 1.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much!! 😆

[@cynthiadianecarey9902]

Landscaping timbers and ripping deck boards are great ideas!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😄 I’m glad the video was helpful!

[@arthurshat7793]

Your sweet family is goals!

[@garyjordan299]

This is very true information! 3 years is right! They will rot 5 times faster than 4x4 post. Words from experience,

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! We’re going on year two now and they haven’t rotted out yet. I may end up adding a sealer on the pressure treated to help it last a bit longer hopefully! 😁

[@erebus4736]

This is perfect for what my wife and I want to do! We're looking to build an outdoor ferret enclosure with dirt mounds and pvc to create burrows.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Sounds great! Thanks!

[@clownman-mq4ek]

Glad all the avian specialists came to view your site. I am awaiting their videos on building a chicken run. Good video by the way.

[@jimmyponds5504]

Good presentation! Glad to see family involvement!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you! 😁

[@chickennugget2931]

Please put a riving knife on that table saw! It’ll help prevent kickback or binding on long cuts, cheers

[@TheMidwestIslander]

I feel it's a good budget friendly idea. I have a small shed for the future chickens indoor coop they can go in. I might consider this into my budget. I have already a lot of rocks on my land, because its an island. I appreciate these budget friendly ideas. I'm currently working on my garden though. I figured if I start now while there's snow, then less chance of seeing snakes and other creepy crawling critters for the heavy duty part of my garden. Like clearing things out of the way. Have a good day!

[@flowergirl3438]

Nice addition to the chicken run. I would have just kept the height of the timbers to keep it tall so you could stand inside, add perches, makes cleaning up poop easier. You make is look so easy, now I want to add an extension on my run.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! Yeah, the taller you can make it, the easier it will to get in there for any reason.

[@bs4638]

Just a suggestion... you could have used the full height of the lumber to create a walk-in chicken coop AND grown some perennial plants like grapes all around to provide food for the family and shade for your feathered friends! 😄 Of course, it would have required a bit more cross bars for support.

[@phuongvo3051]

The chickens are so happy with their big yard , ❤❤

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Yeah they really enjoy the extra space!

[@shebear93]

You ought to look at making little wooden squares with that hardware cloth over the top. Allows grass to go through but they can't scratch and kill it. Could be an option of putting some in there!

[@VictorRodriguez-rd5xl]

That's a nice looking chicken coop run...like the rocks makes it look alot nicer

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@khmerfigth]

I like too

[@thefrenchgardener1865]

Thank you for mentioning the alternative lumber choices and the fact that lumber prices are crazy compared to two years ago. Great video.....great job! Thanks!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you! 😄 I’m glad my video could be helpful!

[@gurbhalla]

Thank you so much a lot of important knowledge to get somebody going through a basic chicken coop for extending their chicken coop. Thank you so very much.

[@LosInmortalesGallos]

I'm sure those chickens are very happy with that new additon to their housing arrangement.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Yeah they seem to be nicer to each other when they have more room to spread out. 😄

[@LosInmortalesGallos]

@@SimonSaysDIY yes it reduces the pecking and carnivorism.

[@rahulbarman5314]

you are lucky my friend, you got you she as supportive friend!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@FM-Patriot]

It looks good! My wife and I are looking to have chickens next year!

[@shebear93]

That lumber choice is a genius idea! Very much appreciated.

[@RickysFarmAndHatchery]

If you fill with sand wood will last longer and put rocks on the base of the wood. Can get sand from the river or beach

[@angeliseperaza1620]

I love this idea and thank you for the wood suggestion that really save me.

[@pamcarter6595]

Very nice. I love that . Nice design.

[@Dawn_______]

Thanks for sharing these great money saving tips.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Your very welcome! Thanks! 😄

[@ryveralexander8511]

I like this simple style. Thank you!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@abdulsbadr]

This is amazing!! Thanks

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@bullandtimber]

Landscape timbers, yes! I just did the same thing building a fence around my garden. I saved over $100 using timbers instead of pressure treated dimensional lumber

[@SimonSaysDIY]

It’s crazy how much cheaper these Timbers are! Thanks! 😁

[@CrossroadToCountry]

@@SimonSaysDIY They're cheaper because they're not truly pressure treated. They're sprayed. They don't have the penetration that the pressure treated lumber does and as a result will rot quicker.

[@masoodali2745]

@@SimonSaysDIY to

[@karenbuckner1959]

Nice build and well explained. We ran hardware cloth vertically 12" deep around the perimeter. The hardware cloth or chicken wire around the lower fence line sounds good.

[@floridagirl386]

How high does it need to be

[@karenbuckner1959]

@@floridagirl386 high enough to wire the hardware cloth to the side fencing. You don't want gaps that unfriendlies can crawl through.

[@floridagirl386]

@@karenbuckner1959 right. How tall of hardware mesh? I grabbed 36" by 100ft. 36 inches should be high enough right?

[@abcsha.]

I appreciate your creative work for birds .

[@jackieflynn7731]

I would put more boards to hold the screen up during the heavy snow season.

[@Leapingspirit]

I used the electric fence posts that you can push into the ground with your foot and regular chicken wire that I used twist wire to secure to the posts and to itself for my expanded chicken run. Its held up well after several months, and I plan to expand it again next month because I'm going to be doubling my flock. Cost me less than $100 as well, 'cause I caught the chicken wire on sale.

[@grizzly4736]

A simple yet good looking build. Thank you. I am looking at ideas to expand our chicken run and this is a good idea. I appreciate that you mention the prices of material. My wife was looking at buying one of them pre-fab chain link dog run things to put around them, but I like building and can do this for much cheaper than that pre-fab. Thank you again.

[@argelynpepitovlogs5730]

Hello watching from Philippines 🇵🇭🥰

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@jandoinc]

Thanks for sharing. I will definitely use the rocks in my yard for our new run.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks!

[@Cityfolksfarm]

What a great idea! I dig it.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad you like it! Thanks! 😁

[@susancade2092]

Great job!! Thank you for sharing your project. I use treated landscaping timbers as post & still holding up eight years running! 😊

[@SimonSaysDIY]

That is awesome! Thanks! 😁

[@TeoPhotographybyDustin]

Did you concrete them in? I’m looking at doing this!

[@izzysequines4496]

@@TeoPhotographybyDustin I have some of these on my property that the previous owners put in. The ones that have been loose (we have clay soil and lots of rain - KY) have not been concreted in. The ones that were concreted in are just as sturdy as when we purchased the property five years ago! They have held up against Great Danes jumping against them, horses rubbing on them, goats bouncing off of fence, and a trouble-loving Holstein. So, this should work for at least five years if done right, even with heavier applications! I have read of people using these on some horse forums - gravel in the bottom, concrete, and bonus points if you treat a little extra with some motor oil or the like! I know your comment was from a year ago, but perhaps this will help anyone else with the same question that reads this thread!

[@alanviner3711]

VERY NICE JOB!!

[@boostjunkieMike]

Well done 👌🏾 😎 thanks for sharing

[@SimonSaysDIY]

No problem 👍

[@tonymalaluan]

Nice to see how it became a family project. I know the chooks will be safe within the run...

[@MelSr8]

This is a great build. Do you ever cover it for shade or rain/snow protection? Wondering how it’s held up to the weight of snow. ❤

[@miltonalvira2712]

amazing video thank you

[@adamsfamilygarden5222]

Looks Great 👍🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@michelleschweizer9000]

Very nice thx! How much was the bucket of rock?

[@raoh8096]

you should still have a wire skirt about 18" on the outside underneath your rocks to keep predators from digging in

[@RPG-oh1yf]

That's the purpose of the rocks! That's a lot of digging to get under 6-12" horizontally of large rocks! It would take a predator days to dig that far. My run has wireless motion sensors around it. If I get a hit at night, I get to test out my thermal optic on the .223! Win/Win

[@Gibaskesemarfarm]

Great video, great job.. thanks

[@mysparky2011]

Wow, crazy how fast the grass was gone! May I suggest burying hardware cloth under the dirt along the outside edges of the run instead of rocks. It's actually part of the fence. I'm not sure how effective the rocks will be at keeping a coyote or fox out of the run. I have to worry about that in Ontario, maybe you don't. Nice video.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tip. So far so good, I’ve seen coyotes and dogs around the coop and none have been able to get in yet. 👍🏻

[@Balada143]

everything is superb but the pole standing only with support of soil is disturbing me, if any heavy rain the soil will loosen and chance for poles to collapse, my advice is pls pour concreate suppoort to poles for atleast 1 feet below ground , it will give both support and Termite resistant.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tip! It’s held up so far but that center post is the weak point for sure.

[@Balada143]

@@SimonSaysDIY and had to add an suggestion did u hear the feed AZOLLA which can be grow easily in home great feeds for chickens,cattles, which is 100% usefull for self substain. if this is new to u plz google it and enquiry about it, i m using for last 5 years upto last month for my chickens and cattles very cheap and best nutrition, It increase eggs size and quantity and chicken taste increased. Due to Job i exit farm,but it helps me a lot during that time.

[@janemartin2331]

You did a great job showing some tips about how to save $ on the wood. One way we are planning on keeping the chickens from trying to dig out is to lay hardware on the ground around the parameter and then put the fence on and finish it off with sand. We used this when we were setting up the coop and it worked great...even helped keep the mice out!

[@zerff62]

How so? I’m trying to do the same with my chickens and keep the mice out

[@ozcankaymak3759]

Çok güzel olmuş. Tebrik ederim 😊❤👍🇹🇷

[@brendabaxter9297]

Great video! As always precision work with beautiful outcome! I really enjoy your videos and watching your family help you!🙂❤🐔🐓🔨

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much!! 😃 I love when we get the chance to be outside working together!

[@asmaaw8227]

Hi there, thank you very much for this video, could you please name the electronic tools you used to attach posts and wire. Thanks

[@rosstheplumber6209]

Good stuff!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much!! 😃

[@davidcisneros4400]

Awesome video. I've been doing some research on chicken coops. From building to maintaining etc. Thank you for sharing.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! I appreciate it! 😁

[@budhames5254]

Very informative video. Thanks. I just subscribed too!

[@jordansmith2687]

What are you using to secure the chicken wire / Hardware Cloth to the posts? Looked pretty quick and easy! Love the tip on the timbers vs 4x4s!

[@MrKillerRC]

A staple gun.

[@bahmanshabani7695]

Very nice and good job

[@ahmedaoujil8292]

Good job

[@fluffyotter1601]

Nice! Thanks for the $ saving tips. Need to build a chicken run, as well:)

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! Glad I could help! :)

[@boyskilledtv9469]

nice idea of chicken cage

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😆

[@FerozKhan-el9wm]

Love watching chicken. What place you are located

[@yolandawalkling8468]

How long did this take to build? Curious how much longer would it take without nailers and stapler

[@SimonSaysDIY]

This took us a day or two but It was split up into several evenings after work. The stapler made it go a lot faster and probably saved several hours.

[@rossananoggle6066]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@kathywentz208]

Chickens dig holes for their heath of mites. You might make a dust bath separate (a tire, a kids swimming pool etc).

[@debkincaid2891]

This looks wonderful! I may steal this idea except for one change: I'd use heat treated wood (steam), not pressure treated (with toxic chemicals). But, other than that, nice!

[@RPG-oh1yf]

Modern pressure treated wood is not toxic, that's why it doesn't last like pressure treated wood from 50 years ago.

[@maddog6542]

pressure treated wood is fine for chickens actually. don't tell people to waste money if you don't have the facts.

[@debkincaid2891]

@@maddog6542 We'll have to agree to disagree on that point. Unless the wood is heat treated without chemicals, I sure don't want my chickens ingesting it when they're pecking on the wood. And they will peck on the wood. All the best ~ 🐓

[@maddog6542]

@@debkincaid2891 can't really disagree with facts, but whatever

[@zachward6185]

How far did you space your vertical landscaping timbers? Just trying to get ideas for my chicken run!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I believe it was 8 feet apart. Thanks!

[@brendapowell5511]

Did you put anything down as bedding for them?

[@WonderboyWDE]

I feel for you having to dig on a slant AND into that red clay. My yard is nothing but that clay and it’s a beast when it’s dry because it’s like brick, and horrible when it’s wet because it’s just a gummy mess that gets stuck in the diggers. You had your hands full no doubt!

[@eli92]

Great job……loved it!👏👏👏👏

[@ernestolopez4931]

Very good

[@deewagners6676]

How often do you have to work inside that new co-op? If you need to work there regularly, maybe you need to adjust the hight so that you don‘t ruin your back! 😅 I only work in a position which is comfy for my back.

[@kimbloebaum576]

Did you bury your fence or do you just use the rock as a deterrent?

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Just the rock. Thanks! 😁

[@halepveanglonubiankecisitr1930]

thanks you are great

[@SimonSaysDIY]

You are welcome! 👍🏻

[@0xSol_Invictus]

Lumber prices have changed a lot! That 4x4x8 that you were comparing at $17.38 is now $9.27 (in my area at least) and the landscape is $4.68. Would you still use the timbers over the 4x4 post if you're only saving $4.59 each?

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Very true! The price difference is much smaller now, I would probably use the 4x4s. Thanks! 😁

[@RPG-oh1yf]

You must be shopping at Lowes! I'm in Virginia and on 2.7.2023 the 4x4x8 treated post at Lowes is exactly $9.27 😆 I just bought 4 of them for the main posts for our chicken coop I'm in the process of building. The landscape timbers are cheaper, but I have found that they are not as well pressure treated as the dimensional 4x4's and will rot out within 5 years when burried. Modern pressure treated posts will last about 20 years. Long gone are the days when pressure treated posts would last 50+ years when burried! Thanks, EPA for that.

[@floridagirl386]

​@@RPG-oh1yfwhat's epa?

[@warrenduthie7308]

Was that a staple gun you used to secure the chicken wire? Great video thank you!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Yes, that’s correct! Thanks for watching!

[@FM-Patriot]

Just curious... Why did you make it so low, when your posts were already tall enough for it to be around 6 feet? Thanks

[@Waqas4hmed]

Amazing country side. Which place is this?

[@johnwolf1475]

so how many years or decades to get a return on the costs of lumber and wire?

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Haha 😂 probably too many!

[@Skillfuljoe23]

If I ever build a chicken run, am using at least 1/2 an acre. I love those little egg laying turds 🤣🤣!

[@jorellwhite8522]

Love the video. Can’t wait to build my own for my chickies. How far apart are the posts from each other?

[@ivoivic2448]

a simpler solution would be to not cut down every single shrub or bush because you want a clean yard. my grandparentss kept chicken and rarely a hawk managed to catch one because their yard wasn't a golf course.

[@sharonmitchell6296]

What is the cost

[@jon.b2696]

I wonder where you got that fence for your property line! 🤔 I have a 2 year old so I’m interested haha!

[@NadiaMayer]

quanto hai speso in totale? grazie

[@heninthefoxhouse]

Hi my dears, you forgot to say how you decided how far apart to put the posts, and how far apart they are. Is there any way you could add that info?

[@hardwareclothwww.sebossfen6011]

May I know which type hardware cloth do you used for building the chicken run?

[@RPG-oh1yf]

It's 1/2" x 1/2" galvanized steel hardware cloth. Available at most hardware stores, Lowes, Home Depot, Rural King, Tractor Supply, etc.

[@floridagirl386]

​@user-sy2fe2bf8t that's not hardware cloth but I know what you're doing. I love you for that ❌️❤️❌️❤️❌️❤️

[@HasanHasan-lo1nm]

❤❤❤SÜPER

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you! 😄

[@fishingguytv9391]

What kind of fencing is that on the roll?

[@dontbea7237]

As a way of deterring pests I'm planting citrus trees around chicken pen like hedges and just keeping them prune down to about 3 ft tall

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tips! 😁

[@Copycatcarnivore]

landscape timbers are not ground contact rated they will rot very quickly

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I wasn’t aware of that. But they were still holding up well but I’ll have to post an update video when they rot out. Thanks!

[@joeblow8206]

Racoons can move those rocks. Big mistake not digging up floor first and laying a mesh floor then reburying it. Connect mesh to walls

[@lobos3095]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥰 from Washington 🙋‍♂️

[@michellebourget8820]

Hi! Do you have a link for the timber posts? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

[@deleahwilliams1557]

Guys did an amazing job but I think I’ll stick to just buying it from the store thank you😊

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@Schedule1ne315]

Why so deep for the post hole? Standard fence holes is 18”

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I had some extra length so I figured it would hold a bit better. The ground was fairly soft so it was easy to go a few more inches. :)

[@matthew53690]

Is that a staple gun you’re using for the fence?

[@tropicalfishgallery6718]

Great job...

[@glenncollins294]

Why you did not use hurricane fence.

[@leahanderson1604]

What electric tool are you using to staple the wire?

[@SimonSaysDIY]

It’s an air powered staple guns.

[@gavranbollywood7627]

Awesome 👌👌👌❤️from India